David Bradley’s Atlantic Media has tapped Steve Smith to return to National Journal as its new editor-in-chief, replacing Tim Grieve who left in September to become head of news strategies at the McClatchy newspaper chain.

Smith had been editor of NJ from 1996 to 1998, but left shortly after the Bradley takeover in 1997 to become editor of US News & World Report. At the time, US News was then one of the big three print news weeklies.

Smith edited the Washington Examiner from 2006 to 2014 and most recently has been a contract book writer and editor.

When he rejoins NJ in December, Smith will be supervising a much reduced staff as the publication transitions away from breaking news and concentrates on premium content for Beltway insiders, which will now be behind a pay wall.

The total staff of 175 people will be reduced by 25 percent, to just over 130 people.

The editorial side, now at 66 people, will absorb an even steeper round of cuts by year end, falling to between 35 and 40 positions.

Atlantic Media said in July it will stop publishing NJ’s national print edition by the end of the year but will continue with a National Journal Daily online and with limited Beltway print distribution.